July 11 turned out to be perfect for an outdoor seaside gathering, "Mission Under the Moon," the Discovery Celebration of the American Cancer Society at L'Auberge Del Mar.

The event raised $90,000 toward the patient programs and services provided by the American Cancer Society, and 173 guests attended the event.

The guests were welcomed by
Elizabeth Rice
, the 2012 event chairwoman, who promised that the night would "celebrate research, education, advocacy and the services offered by the American Cancer Society here in San Diego. Tonight we will also celebrate a personal journey of living life after diagnosis and recovery, and we will also be learning to celebrate more birthdays."

Rice also gave a special welcome to
Marilyn Sawyer
, the first "Celebration of Life" honoree in 2008, who was in attendance but spoke via the video screens around the restaurant.

"Thirteen years ago, I really thought I was going to die," Sawyer said. "With the help of the American Cancer Society, it empowered me to get mad at cancer, to fight back and do something about it."

Rice introduced the new regional vice president of the American Cancer Society,
Andrea Epstein
, who "will be spending a fair amount of her time here in the San Diego community, leading our local team and building alliances for the future."

Keynote speaker was nutritionist
Carolyn Katzin
, author of "The Cancer Nutrition Center Handbook," and a 21-year volunteer with the American Cancer Society. "I'm also one of the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have volunteered to be part of the Cancer Prevention Study Three (CPS3), an ongoing longitudinal study which is still recruiting," she said.

CPS1 provided convincing evidence that tobacco use was linked to lung cancer, and CPS2 data demonstrated the link between obesity and many cancers.

"Science, not opinion, is at the core of the society's work, which is why we are consistently rated the most trusted cancer organization in the world," she said.

The 2012 Celebration of Life Honoree was
Blake VanderGeest
, diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bone cancer at age 23. He credits recent developments in cancer research with saving his right leg and his life.